2023 HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
When a Union physician, Charles (Tony Todd), barely escapes with his life after his regiment is destroyed, he finds himself wandering the Virginian woods–eventually running into a Confederate soldier, William (Philip Orazio). While the two shouldn’t get along, given their circumstances, they share a conversation and a fire. Dixieland is the story of finding common ground before it’s too late.
Quick and to the point, Writer J. Scott Worthington and Director William Hellmuth throw viewers right into the action. They provide us with no backstory, no name for our main character, and just about nothing other than loud noises and a man in distress. We are forced to figure things out on our own before the conversation between Charles and William ensues. There is so much to dissect in this opening moment. Everything from the setting (both where and when), the particular situation in which Charles has found himself, and just about everything in between in those opening moments are left for viewers to figure out on their own. Now, while Dixieland doesn’t explicitly tell us what we are looking at, this team does a spectacular job of setting the scene and ensuring that viewers have a chance to figure things out.
The most concerning aspect of those opening moments is the cinematography. I was concerned that things would become too dizzying–that trying to follow Charles would have made it difficult for other aspects of the opening scene to thrive. However, Director of Photography Hellmuth captures everything with incredible expertise. Rather than the wild visuals shocking and dizzying viewers, Hellmuth finds ways to use it to his advantage. Even though the opening seconds of Dixieland are wild, with so much happening, viewers effectively feel as if they are being guided through Charles’ current situation. We are able to remain level headed, and the opening sequence, the most important of the entire film, remains accessible as a result.
The remainder of Dixieland takes place in a cave, only dimly lit by a fire. The fire often acts as a barrier between Charles and William, keeping them separate throughout the course of the film. While the opening sequence feels like the most important of the entire film, the fire feels like the most important piece of Dixieland. It’s the one thing that allows viewers to see the characters, that keeps them present on screen. It’s what effectively connects the two characters and what keeps them physically separated. And by the end of the film, the burned out fire signifies an end in other ways. From the second the fire appears on screen, until the second it goes out (and even beyond that), it plays such a prominent role in Dixieland. This is my favorite part of the film, the thing that played such a significant physical and metaphorical role throughout the course of the film, and I loved every second of it.
Todd and Orazio are simply spectacular. They have a stellar chemistry that allows them to grow as characters, but also bolsters Dixieland. From their first exchange until the film ends, they never miss a beat. They add emotion to the film, they draw viewers in, and they constantly find new ways to enamor those viewers with their incredible talent. They approach these roles with simplicity, allowing viewers access throughout.
Dixieland is a timepiece that doesn’t surprise in regard to its content or the subject matter. It does, however, surprise in regard to its technical prowess. This isn’t to say that I had low expectations for the film, because that couldn’t be further from the truth (I simply went in with an open mind and hoped I would enjoy it). I keep coming back to the fire, because I fell in love with what it represented and the physical presence that it had throughout the duration of Dixieland. However, beyond that just about everything else is brilliant as well. Todd and Orazio are stellar in their performances, the cinematography is inviting, and most everything else lends itself to the success of Dixieland.
Directed by William Hellmuth.
Written by J. Scott Worthington.
Starring Tony Todd & Philip Orazio.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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